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5 Common Cat Health Questions Answered

CatChannel’s veterinary expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM, answers your cat health questions.

By Arnold Plotnick, DVM

Q: I have two cats that are strictly indoor cats. I recently received a reminder card from my veterinarian telling me that they’re both due for an exam and vaccinations. The last time my cat was vaccinated, she was lethargic for about 24 hours. Is it necessary for indoor-only cats to have vaccinations every year?

A: Listen to Dr. Arnold Plotnick's response

Q: The other day, I noticed that my cat had a little blood in his stool. I haven’t changed his diet at all. The blood appeared a few days after my husband returned from a brief business trip. I don’t know if this is important or not, but the cat doesn’t like my husband, and my husband is not too fond of the cat. Should I be worried about the blood in his stool?

A: Listen to Dr. Arnold Plotnick's response

Q: My cat paws and scrapes on the floor as if she is trying to cover up the food in her dish after she’s finished eating. She gives me the impression that she thinks her food is bad! Do you know why she does this?



A: Listen to Dr. Arnold Plotnick's response

Q: I have always had longhaired cats, and they have never had hairball problems, until lately. My most recently acquired longhaired cat has coughed up a hairball at least twice a week. I give her a hairball preventative daily, but it doesn’t seem to help. What can I do to help eliminate my cat’s hairballs?

A: Listen to Dr. Arnold Plotnick's response

 Q: My normally quiet 15-year-old male cat has recently acquired a habit of howling his head off in the middle of the night. Around 2 a.m., he’ll typically go to his litterbox or grab a bite to eat, and then sit in the living room and howl. It’s not a normal meow, either. It’s a weird, guttural type of cry. He doesn’t seem to be in any kind of pain or discomfort as far as I can tell. I love my cat, but I’m losing quite a bit of sleep over this. What can I do to stop my cat’s crying?

A: Listen to Dr. Arnold Plotnick's response

 

In August 2007’s CAT FANCY:
See Veterinarian Elaine Wexler-Mitchell’s answers to more cat health questions.

 Give us your opinion on
5 Common Cat Health Questions Answered
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Reader Comments
hi i have a 8 year old domestic cat and she has a food bowl put toghter and we will put water in one side and the cat food in the other and she will eat the food but she wont drink the water so we tried to give seprate bowls and she still wont drink the water but she will drink out of the faucet an out of the hose and she will drink the rain water and and if i give her a bowl of water out of the hose and set it out side she will drinkr it but i dont know why she wont drink it in side will you please help me and my cat!!!!!
leslie, perry, MI
Posted: 7/14/2008 12:56:58 PM
I have a 11yr old female cat and she ate a mouse two years back and got sick from it,I took her to the vet and the vet said that the mouse must,ve been sick,she's back to her old self except for one problem she doesn't want to drink water on her own,I've been basicly pouring water down her thoat.
I don't know what else to do for her I really love her and she's a good cat.I don't know if she's just being stuborn or if there is something really wrong I hope you can help. thank you.
Diane Noyer, Erie, PA
Posted: 1/31/2008 11:17:29 AM
My 2 year old cay yowls at night in the house. He is not in pain, does not want out, just seems to want our attention. I can live with it but it is strange.
Lisa, Seabrook, TX
Posted: 1/25/2008 7:31:11 AM
I cannot figure out how to hear the doctor's answers, especially the last one about the howling cat. My sixteen year old started doing that but he does it day and night.
How can I hear the answer.
Phyllis, Meriden, CT
Posted: 11/2/2007 1:31:02 PM
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